But the fact of the matter is that writers often need other writers. They need people to serve as a second pair of eyes on their work, people who can understand the woes of writer’s block, people who can eventually chase them down and demand that they getsomething done. They also need friends who can nerd out just as hard on the latest bestsellers and the classics, someone who can spend hours discussing what makes a good story click and shout “Look at these goosebumps!” after discussing it.

So here is an ode to all those great friendships between writers, illustrated in photographs and a few great quotes:

Allen Ginsberg and Frank O’Hara

“I don’t think you’re going to find this very healthy and clear, but I really would like to stop working forever — never work again, never do anything like the kind of work I’m doing now — and do nothing but write poetry and have leisure to spend the day outdoors and go to museums and see friends.” — Allen Ginsberg

“I am the least difficult of men. All I want is boundless love.” — Frank O’Hara, Meditations in an Emergency

Alice Munro and Margaret Atwood

“Moments of kindness and reconciliation are worth having, even if the parting has to come sooner or later.” — Alice Munro, The Progress of Love

“This is what I miss, Cordelia: not something that’s gone, but something that will never happen. Two old women giggling over their tea.” ― Margaret Atwood, Cat's Eye